S.C. lawmakers target social media, caller ID fraud

COLUMBIA -- An Aiken lawmaker is taking aim at the act of deceiving others through social media and caller ID manipulation.

Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, introduced S. 157 in January. His proposal, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Ronnie Cromer, R-Newberry, is similar to one introduced by a Democrat last month in the S.C. House.

Under H. 3449, Rep. John King of Rock Hill, seeks to create a $1,000 fine for stealing someone else’s social media identity, whether on Twitter or other sites, and using it to dupe others.

Like Young’s legislation, it defines this as using someone else’s photo or likeness to knowingly spout misleading or bogus information in order to harass, defrauding or acquire something valuable from someone.

If passed into law, the proposal would come with a negligible price tag, according to a state fiscal impact statement prepared in January.

It’s not the first time Young has targeted so-called “spoofing.” In recent years Young, then serving in the S.C. House, had teamed up with other Aiken County lawmakers to push for restrictions.

Critics have warned against overreaching through overly broad measures, which they say could harm impetuous young people who make mistakes and play jokes on social media.